Carbon Filter

[Darbex]

So I have been working on a DIY carbon filter for refilling my tanks. I started with a standard 2" PVC. I used a U-tube in order to have a drain to drain out the carbon when it gets old. On one end of the PVC tubing I took two filter floss and wrapped the filter in a carbon bag that you can get a Petsmart. I wanted to make sure that no smaller pieces of carbon will clog the filter floss. I attached them to the tubing using epoxy glue and silicone just for good measure. Hope you all enjoy it wasnt that hard to make and I think it turned out well.

[fshfrk]

hey man looks good so far. but you might need alot more pass. hook that over your tank and you are 1/2 way there. put the carbon snake under it(for pass). You will have to trickle the water in the tank with that setup and change the carbon often.
I made my latest with 1" spa flex but am not happy with the flow. the 1 1/2" works much better for flow. Maybe it's 1/2 fittings verses 3/4". I just think you need more pass. GOOD LUCK!

[Darbex]

I tested it last night and it flows pretty good. The thing I am worried about is that it might flow to well and not have enough time to react with the carbon but that might be because I tested with no carbon in it. I am getting the testers today so I will test the water tonight or tomorrow to see if it had the desired results.

[Navarro]

Most of the commercial carbon filters I have had, only use a little carbon I'll say about 1/3 of what the canister can hold but them again is a different system.
Perhaps John can elaborate more in this.
Also I know this may sound crazy but I hardly ever have to change the carbon and it works just fine and the same goes for ADG as far as I understand Jeff once told he serviced many large tanks weekly and used the same Carbon filters for years!
Luis

[Darbex]

If I can get this to last a year or so since this will be limited use during water changes only I will be happy and it will save me money in the long run.

[Mzungu]

Also I know this may sound crazy but I hardly ever have to change the carbon and it works just fine and the same goes for ADG as far as I understand Jeff once told he serviced many large tanks weekly and used the same Carbon filters for years!
Luis

+1. :) Just don't ask me why! All I've ever heard is how quickly carbon is "exhausted," but that might be because in a tank's filter water is constantly running through it, whereas with a carbon filter bottle water only runs through it a half a dozen times a day or so. *shrug*

[peterp63]

I think it does two different things. 1) Absorbs organics 2) Reacts with chlorine

[Darbex]

Well I tested the water out of the tap and it came back
0 Chlorine
0-.25 Ammonia
5.0 Nitrate
.25 Nitrite

Not good to test its ability to remove Chlorine as apparently there is none I even added a drop of bleach to make sure there wasnt anything wrong with the test. Which there wasnt. But the weird thing is I tested the water after the filter and the Nitrites went to 0 but the Ammonia actually went to a solid .25. Any thoughts on how this could be?

[Darbex]

Did a water change on the discus tank with no issues and no use of prime. I want it to rain so I can test the water before and after during that time since the city will probably dump chemicals in at that time.

[fshfrk]

About that ammonia I have no ideal. What type of chlorine test are you using?

[Darbex]

Sensafe EPA approved strips. I went the cheap route only because they were EPA approved

[aggrocichlidfan]

why couldnt you jus use a water hose? instead of those expinsive jacuzzi line or hose or whatever?

[peterp63]

diameter too small

[Oldsgirl]

just a side thought, as long as you guys are using those carbon bags from the pet store- you can also just use knee high stockings, or cut the feet out of stockings to hold the carbon. That's what the guys at Moody gardens did when I did my internship there.

[Darbex]

True didnt think of that one